Storage Rack Assembly

ABSTRACT

A storage rack assembly includes two racks mounted on the base for movement relative to the base between a stored position and an intermediate position and an open position. Each rack has storage spaces that are hidden when the rack is in the stored position and that are accessible when the rack is in the open position. The racks are adjacent to and parallel to each other when in the stored position. Either rack can be pulled out from the stored position to the intermediate position and then pivoted to the open position, to enable access to its storage spaces, while the other remains in the stored position. In one embodiment, the racks are optimized to store spice containers in a kitchen cabinet; in another, to store single serving coffee containers.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a nonprovisional of, and claims the benefit of the filing date of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/490,345, filed May 26, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a storage assembly that is particularly adapted for storing items in a kitchen cabinet, such as spice container and single serving coffee pods. Such storage is problematic because of the small size of these items, their large numbers, and the depth of a typical kitchen cabinet. The present invention addresses those issues with a new and improved storage rack assembly that provides quick, complete visual identification with easy accessibility of all contents of the storage racks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains from a reading of the following description together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a storage rack assembly that is a first embodiment of the invention, including a base and two racks both shown in a stored position;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the storage rack assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the storage rack assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the base of the storage rack assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the storage rack assembly of FIG. 1, showing one of the racks moved to an intermediate position; and

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the storage rack assembly of FIG. 5, showing the one rack moved to an open position.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a storage rack assembly that is a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the storage rack assembly of FIG. 7, with one rack shown in an open condition; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the storage rack assembly of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a storage assembly that is particularly adapted for storing spice jars in a kitchen cabinet, and that is also suitable for storing other items including other foodstuffs. The invention is applicable to storage assemblies of varying and different constructions. As representative of the invention, FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a storage assembly 10 that is a first embodiment of the invention.

The assembly 10 (FIGS. 1-3) includes a base 20, a first rack 40, and a second rack 60. The first and second racks 40 and 60 are identical to each other. Therefore, the assembly 10 will first be described with reference to the base 20 and the first rack 40 and then, more briefly, with reference to the second rack 60.

The base 20 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is adapted to rest on the bottom, or a shelf, of a cabinet 12 such as a kitchen cabinet. The base 20 is preferably molded as one piece from a suitable plastic material. The base 20 has a generally flat, plate-like configuration including a front end portion 22 and a back end portion 24.

A first slot 26 extends longitudinally along the base in a direction between the front end portion 22 and the back end portion 24. The first slot 26 has a front end 28. A second slot 30 in the base 20 is identical in configuration to the first slot, and extends parallel thereto. The slots 26 and 30 come close to, but do not extend up to, the front edge 32 of the base 20. A guide flange 34 (FIG. 4) projects upward from the base at a laterally central position on the base.

The first rack 40 (FIG. 2) is an open box-like structure having a generally rectangular configuration including front and back walls 42 and 44, a bottom wall 46, and a top wall 48. A lower tray 50 and an upper tray 52 extend between the front wall 42 and the back wall 44. The lower tray 50 has a plurality of storage locations 54 for holding a number of containers such as spice jars (not shown). The upper tray 52 has a plurality of storage locations 56 for holding a number of container such as spice jars (not shown). The first rack 40 includes a pin 58 (FIG. 3) that projects downward from the bottom wall. The pin 58 has an enlarged head portion 59.

The first rack 40 is supported on the base 20 for sliding movement relative to the base 20. The pin 58 on the first rack 40 fits into the first slot 26 on the base 20. The head portion 59 of the pin 58 extends under the base 20 and prevents the pin and thus the first rack 40 from being lifted or moved vertically upward off the base 20.

In a similar manner, the second rack 60 (FIG. 5) is supported on the base 20 for sliding movement relative to the base 20. Parts of the second rack 60 that are the same as parts of the first rack 40 are given the same reference numerals with the suffix “a” added to distinguish them. The second rack 60 has a generally rectangular configuration including front and back walls 42 a and 44 a that support a lower tray 50 a and an upper tray 52 a. A pin 58 a (FIG. 3) extends into the second slot 30 in the base.

The guide flange 34 (FIG. 4) is located between the two racks 40 and 60. The top of the guide flange 24 overlaps the lower trays of the two racks 40 and 60. The guide flange 34 keeps the trays 40 and 60 together laterally, and helps to retain and align the racks on the base 20.

When the two racks 40 and 60 are assembled with the base 20, they are directly next to each other, with only a bit of space separating them laterally. The guide flange 34 is between the lower trays of the two racks 40 and 60. The two racks 40 and 60 are adjacent to each other and extend parallel to each other in a front-to-back direction as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In FIG. 1 both racks 40 and 60 are shown pushed completely to the back of the base 20. This is how the assembly 10 appears when mounted or placed on a bottom surface of a kitchen cabinet 12, and looking into the cabinet. The racks 40 and 60 are in a farthest back or “stored” position.

The racks 40 and 60 are shorter (front to back) than the base 20. Therefore, when the racks 40 and 60 are in the stored position, pushed back on the base 20 (FIGS. 1-3), the front end portion 22 of the base 20 is exposed. The forward end 28 of the first slot 26 is farther forward than the front wall 42 of the first rack 40, and is thus exposed to view. Also, the forward end of the second slot 30 is father forward than the front wall 42 a of the second rack 60, and is exposed to view.

FIGS. 2 and 3 also show the parts of the storage rack assembly 10 when the racks 40 and 60 are in the stored position. The pins 58 and 58 a on the racks 40 and 60, respectively, are in the back ends of the slots 26 and 30. The forward end portion 22 of the base 20 is exposed.

FIG. 5 illustrates the parts of the assembly 10 when the first rack 40 is pulled all the way forward to an “intermediate” position on the base 20. During this movement, the first rack 40 slides, or translates, along the base 20, without pivoting or turning. The pin 58 on the first rack 40 engages the front end 28 of the first slot 20, which is at a position farther forward than the second rack 60. A part of the forward end portion 22 of the base 20 is covered by the first rack 40.

From this intermediate position, the first rack 40 can be rotated or pivoted ninety degrees about the first pin 58, relative to the base 20 and the second rack 60, to an “open” position as shown in FIG. 6. In this position, the first rack 40 covers the entire front end portion 22 of the base 20. Both the lower and upper trays 50 and 52 of the first rack 40 are fully accessible. Thus, the contents of the storage locations 54 and 56 in the trays 50 and 52 can be accessed and removed for use, then replaced.

After use, the first rack 40 can be rotated back to the intermediate position, then pushed back to the stored position. The second rack 60 remains undisturbed while the first rack 40 is being moved from the stored position to the open position and back.

In a similar manner, the second rack 60 can be moved from a stored position as shown in FIG. 1 to an intermediate position in which it is pulled forward and its pin 58 a is at the forward end of the second slot 30 The second rack 60 can then be rotated ninety degrees to an open position extending across the front of the first rack 40 and covering the front end portion 22 of the base 20. In this position, the storage locations 54 and 56 on the lower and upper trays 50 a and 52 a of the second rack 60 are accessible.

After use, the second rack 60 can be rotated back to the intermediate position, then pushed back to the stored position. The first rack 40 remains undisturbed while the second rack 60 is being moved from the stored position to the open position and back.

When the storage assembly 10 is installed in a kitchen cabinet, and the racks are in the stored position shown in FIGS. 1-3, the assembly 10 takes up minimal space in the cabinet, with the two racks 40 and 60 being adjacent to and parallel to each other. From that position, either the first rack 40 or the second rack 60 can be pulled out to the intermediate position and swiveled to the open position to make its contents completely visible and accessible, as shown with respect to the first rack in FIG. 6. The result is that a large number of small containers, such as spice jars, can be stored in an orderly manner, in racks 40 and 60, in a small amount of cabinet space, and yet still be readily accessible.

Neither rack 40 or 60 can be turned laterally unless it is pulled out fully and the other rack is fully retracted. This safety feature arises from the configuration of the base 20, including the slots 26 and 30, and the dimensions of the racks 40 and 60.

The dimensions of the storage rack assembly 10 are selected to enable the assembly to fit into an upper kitchen cabinet with the cabinet door closed and the racks in the stored condition. Specifically, kitchen upper cabinets in the United States have an industry standard depth of 12″ (twelve inches). Thus, in one embodiment, a storage rack assembly in accordance with the present invention is about 11″ deep, and 11′ tall, and 4″ wide. In addition, the dimensions of the trays are selected to enable storage of common kitchen spice containers.

It should be understood that variations on the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 are possible and are intended to be covered by the appended claims. For example, a storage rack assembly in accordance with the present invention might include a base and only one rack, rather than a base and two racks. In that case, the single rack could be pulled out and swiveled (pivoted or rotated) through up to 360° because there would be no second rack to interfere with such movement. Further, in any embodiment of the present invention, the trays could be configured with dividers, for example, to separate adjacent items being stored.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate a storage rack assembly 100 that is a second embodiment of the invention. The storage rack assembly 100 is similar in construction and operation to the storage rack assembly 10 (FIGS. 1-6) and so only the differences will be described in detail here.

The storage rack assembly 100 is specially configured to store a plurality of single serving pods or containers 102 containing coffee (or tea) for use in brewing machines. Such pods 102 are sold under different brand names, the most common of which is “K-Cup”, which is a registered trademark of Keurig, Inc. These pods 102 are of a known, common, industry standard dimension, because other companies make them also and because different companies make the brewing machines that utilize the pods 102. Each pod 102 has a frustoconical configuration with a frustoconical side wall 104 and a pierceable circular cover 106 at its larger diameter end. Each pod 102 has a circular bottom wall 108 at the end opposite the cover 106.

The assembly 100 includes a base 110 and two racks 112 and 114. The racks 112 and 114 are mirror images of each other, about an imaginary plane extending between them. Only the rack 112 will be described in detail herein.

The rack 112 includes four trays 116 for storing pods 102. Each tray 116 has a rectangular inner side wall 120 (FIG. 8) with a straight upper edge 122, that extends perpendicular to a bottom wall 124 of the tray. Each tray 116 also includes an outer side wall 128 that extends upward from the bottom wall 124 of the tray 116. The outer side wall 128 may be perpendicular to the bottom wall 124, and thus parallel to the inner side wall 120. Alternatively, as in the illustrated preferred embodiment, the outer side wall 128 may be “tipped” inward toward the inner side wall 120, at an angle of eleven degrees or at another angle.

Each tray outer side wall 128 has an upper edge with a series of arcuate edge surfaces 130 forming a series of circular scallops or cutouts 132 (the spaces inside the arcuate edge surfaces 130). In the preferred embodiment, the edge surfaces 130 are part-circular in configuration, with a circumferential extent of about 180 degrees more or less. The diameters of the edge surfaces 130 are selected to closely accommodate and support the pods 102 which are of a known size. Specifically, the diameter of the edge surface 130 is approximately equal to the diameter of the pod 102 at about its widest portion 131 (FIG. 8) near its cover 106.

The tray outer side wall 128 preferably (but not necessarily) includes a respective flange or rim 134 around each cutout 132, projecting outward by a small amount. As a result, the effective thickness of the outer side wall 128 is increased at the location of the cutouts 132. This feature provides more surface area of engagement, and thus more friction, between the rack 112 and the pod 102. This increased friction can help to hold the pod 102 in place in the rack 112 when the rack is being swiveled.

Each cutout 132 forms or is associated with a respective storage location 140 on the tray 116. The storage location 140 extends laterally between the outer side wall 128 and the inner side wall 120. The lateral distance between the outer side wall 128 of the tray 116 and the inner side wall 120 of the tray is selected so that when a pod 102 is in a storage location 140, the edge of the bottom wall 108 of the pod is resting on the bottom wall 124 of the tray 116, at a location near to the inner side wall 120 of the tray; the uppermost portion 131 of the side wall 104 of the pod 102 rests on the flange 134; and a portion of the cover 106 of the pod projects outward of the outer side wall 128 of the tray.

The arcuate edge surfaces 130 on the tray outer side wall 128 do not extend all the way down to the bottom wall 124 of the tray 116. As a result, the lowermost point on each edge surface 130, that is, the bottom of the cutout 132, is disposed above the tray bottom wall 124. Thus, when a pod 102 is in a storage location 140, the pod 102 lies on its side, angled slightly higher up (at its end by the cover 106) than it would if it were lying on its side, for example, on a table or countertop. This increased angle keeps the pod 102 angled down toward the inner side wall 120 of the tray 116, thus helping to prevent the pod from sliding out of the storage location 140. In addition, the fact that the tray outer side wall 128 is “tipped” inward toward the tray inner side wall 120 also helps to retain the pods 102 in the rack 112.

Use of the storage rack assembly 100 is similar to use of the storage rack assembly rack 10 (FIGS. 1-6). When both racks 112 and 114 are in the stored position, the pods 102 are maintained safely and securely stored. Either one of the racks 112 or 114 can be pulled outward along the base and pivoted to a position in which its stored pods 102 are accessible. When the desired pod 102 has been removed, the selected rack can be pivoted back and pushed in.

Again, as with the first embodiment, variations on the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 are possible and are intended to be covered by the appended claims. For example, a storage rack assembly in accordance with the present invention might include a base and only one rack that is specifically adapted to store coffee pods, rather than a base and two racks. In that case, the single rack could be pulled out and swiveled (pivoted or rotated) through up to 360° because there would be no second rack to interfere with such movement. 

1. A storage rack assembly comprising; a base; a first rack supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a stored position and an intermediate position and an open position, the first rack having storage spaces that are hidden when the first rack is in the stored position and that are accessible when the first rack is in the open position; a second rack supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a stored position and an intermediate position and an open position, the second rack having storage spaces that are hidden when the second rack is in the stored position and that are accessible when the second rack is in the open position; the first rack and the second rack being adjacent to each other and parallel to each other when both the first rack and the second rack are in the stored position; the first rack sliding on the base between the stored position and the intermediate position, and pivoting relative to the base between the intermediate position and the open position, and the first rack extending transverse to the second rack when the first rack is in the open position and the second rack is in the stored position; the second rack sliding on the base between the stored position and the intermediate position, and pivoting relative to the base between the intermediate position and the open position, and the second rack extending transverse to the first rack when the second rack is in the open position and the first rack is in the stored position.
 2. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a front end portion of the base is uncovered when both the first and second racks are in the stored position; the first rack extends over the front end portion of the base when the first rack is in the intermediate position and when the first rack is in the open position; and the second rack extends over the front end portion of the base when the second rack is in the intermediate position and when the second rack is in the open position.
 3. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the first rack extends over only a portion of the front end portion of the base when the first rack is in the intermediate position and extends over all of the front end portion of the base when the first rack is in the open position.
 4. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the base includes first and second slots; each rack including a pin engaging in one of the slots to control positioning of the rack on the base, including by limiting forward movement of the rack from the stored position to the intermediate position, and each rack pivoting about its pin during movement from the intermediate position to the stored position.
 5. A storage rack assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each rack includes top and bottom walls, and front and back walls, and upper and lower trays, the racks being open on their sides to enable access to the trays; the dimensions of the storage rack assembly are selected to enable the storage rack assembly to fit into a standard depth kitchen upper cabinet when the first and second racks are in the stored condition; and the dimensions of the trays are selected to enable storage of common kitchen spice containers.
 6. A storage rack assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each one of the first and second racks includes a plurality of trays defining the storage spaces in the racks, each tray including a bottom wall, an inner side wall, and an outer side wall; the outer side wall of each tray having a plurality of cutouts at least partially defining the storage spaces, each one of the cutouts being configured to receive and support a side wall of a single serving coffee pod lying on its side in the tray.
 7. A storage rack assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein each one of the cutouts is partially defined by an arcuate surface on the outer side wall of the tray, the arcuate surface having approximately the same curvature as the side wall of the coffee pod.
 8. A storage rack assembly comprising; a base; a first rack supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a stored position and an intermediate position and an open position, the first rack having storage spaces that are hidden when the first rack is in the stored position and that are accessible when the first rack is in the open position; a second rack supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a stored position and an intermediate position and an open position, the second rack having storage spaces that are hidden when the second rack is in the stored position and that are accessible the first rack and the second rack being adjacent to each other and parallel to each other when both the first rack and the second rack are in the stored position; wherein the first rack can be pulled out from the stored position to the intermediate position and then pivoted to the open position, the second rack remaining in the stored position.
 9. A storage rack assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein: a front end portion of the base is uncovered when both the first and second racks are in the stored position; the first rack extends over the front end portion of the base when the first rack is in the intermediate position and when the first rack is in the open position; and the second rack extends over the front end portion of the base when the second rack is in the intermediate position and when the second rack is in the open position.
 10. A storage rack assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein the first rack extends over only a portion of the front end portion of the base when the first rack is in the intermediate position and extends over all of the front end portion of the base when the first rack is in the open position.
 11. A storage rack assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the base includes first and second slots, each rack including a pin engaging in one of the slots to control positioning of the rack on the base, including by limiting forward movement of the rack from the stored position to the intermediate position, and each rack pivoting about its pin during movement from the intermediate position to the stored position.
 12. A storage rack assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein each rack includes top and bottom walls, and front and back walls, and upper and lower trays, the racks being open on their sides to enable access to the trays; the dimensions of the storage rack assembly are selected to enable the storage rack assembly to fit into a standard depth kitchen upper cabinet when the first and second racks are in the stored condition; and the dimensions of the trays are selected to enable storage of common kitchen spice containers.
 13. A storage rack assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein each one of the first and second racks includes a plurality of trays defining the storage spaces in the racks, each tray including a bottom wall, an inner side wall, and an outer side wall; the outer side wall of each tray having a plurality of cutouts at least partially defining the storage spaces, each one of the cutouts being configured to receive and support a side wall of a single serving coffee pod lying on its side in the tray.
 14. A storage rack assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein each one of the cutouts is partially defined by an arcuate surface on the outer side wall of the tray, the arcuate surface having approximately the same curvature as the side wall of the coffee pod.
 15. A storage rack assembly comprising; a base; a rack supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a stored position and an intermediate position and an open position, the rack having storage spaces that are hidden when the rack is in the stored position and that are accessible when the rack is in the open position; the rack being parallel to the base when the rack is in the stored position and perpendicular to the base when the rack is in the open position; wherein the rack can be pulled out from the stored position to the intermediate position and then pivoted to the open position; the dimensions of the storage rack assembly being selected to enable the storage rack assembly to fit into a standard depth kitchen upper cabinet when the rack is in the stored condition.
 16. A storage rack assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein the rack has a plurality of trays and the outer side wall of each tray has a plurality of cutouts at least partially defining the storage spaces, each one of the cutouts being configured to receive and support a curved side wall of a single serving coffee pod lying on its side in the tray.
 17. A storage rack assembly comprising; a base; a first rack supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a stored position and an intermediate position and an open position, the first rack having storage spaces that are hidden when the first rack is in the stored position and that are accessible when the first rack is in the open position; a second rack supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a stored position and an intermediate position and an open position, the second rack having storage spaces that are hidden when the second rack is in the stored position and that are accessible when the second rack is in the open position; the first rack and the second rack being adjacent to each other and parallel to each other when both the first rack and the second rack are in the stored position; wherein the first rack can be pulled out from the stored position to the intermediate position and then pivoted to the open position, the second rack remaining in the stored position; wherein each one of the first and second racks includes a plurality of trays defining the storage spaces in the racks, each tray including a bottom wall, an inner side wall, and an outer side wall; the outer side wall of each tray having a plurality of cutouts at least partially defining the storage spaces, each one of the cutouts being configured to receive and support a side wall of a single serving coffee pod lying on its side in the tray; and the dimensions of the storage rack assembly being selected to enable the storage rack assembly to fit into a standard depth kitchen upper cabinet when the first and second racks are in the stored condition.
 18. A storage rack assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein each one of the cutouts is partially defined by an arcuate surface on the outer side wall of the tray, the arcuate surface having approximately the same curvature as the side wall of the coffee pod. 